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Membrane bioreactor technology

Biological wastewater treatment combined with submerged or external membrane separation.

BOX4WATER membrane bioreactor systems combine activated sludge biological treatment with mechanical membrane separation. They are used to remove organic matter, suspended solids, nitrogen and phosphorus compounds and other impurities from domestic wastewater.

How the process works

Submerged or external microfiltration and ultrafiltration membranes separate the sludge mixture. The membrane stage replaces the conventional secondary settling tank, allowing a higher biomass concentration and greater sludge age.

Permeate is collected in storage tanks. Depending on the required water quality, it may pass through additional pressure filtration or membrane treatment and ultraviolet disinfection before discharge or reuse as process water.

Modular equipment

Configurations may combine ExSep solid–liquid separation, screens and mechanical filters, biological reactors, membrane modules, chemical dosing equipment, disinfection and sludge dewatering. The equipment is selected using the feed characteristics and treated water requirements.

Modules are connected by pipework, power cables and communication cables. Operation can be controlled automatically by a controller, manually by an operator, or remotely.

Water reuse

Feed balancing tanks and treated water storage and pumping systems can be included. Treated water can be returned to process water circuits such as cooling systems and heat exchangers, or used for irrigation where the required quality is achieved.

For higher purity requirements, membrane bioreactor treatment can be combined with reverse osmosis and electrodeionisation in an MBR–RO–EDI process.

Pretreatment and membrane operation

Effective removal of coarse solids and suspended matter is important for membrane operation. ExSep pretreatment can help reduce the solids load. Membrane operating conditions, cleaning and performance recovery are selected for the wastewater and biological process.

System benefits

  • A compact treatment layout.
  • Intensive biological treatment and reduced excess sludge production.
  • Consistent separation of treated water from the sludge mixture.
  • Integration with further treatment for industrial water reuse.